This Canada team is stronger than 2015 Czech side: Bhupathi

New Delhi, Sep 12 (PTI) Davis Cup captain Mahesh Bhupathi
says the Canada team, which has 'future star' Denis Shapovalov
in the line-up, is stronger than the Czech Republic side to
which India had lost in the play-offs stage in 2015.

The Indian team, which had a week-long training camp in
New York before reaching Edmonton, is set to make a fourth
consecutive attempt to qualify for the elite World Group.

After dominating the Asia/Oceania zone, India lost to
tennis power-houses Serbia (2014), Czech Republic (2015) and
Rafael Nadal-led Spain (2016) at the World Group Play-off
stage in recent years.

Canada have named world number 51 Shapovalov, who reached
the US Open fourth round, Vasek Pospisil (82) along with
seasoned Daniel Nestor (43 in doubles) and Brayden Schnur
(202) for the play-off tie, starting Friday.

"Canada is a quality team but of course we are here
because we earned the chance to play them. I personally think
they are a stronger team than the Czechs when they came to
India," Bhupathi told PTI from Edmonton.

Shapovalov has made quite a splash with his performance
in the last few weeks. Before making the US Open fourth round
as a qualifier, the 18-year-old had shocked Nadal en route the
semifinals of the Montreal Masters.

The Czechs had travelled to India with Jiri Vesely (then
world number 40 and now 59) and Lukas Rosol (then world number
85) as the main singles players.

Radek Stepanek, winner of two Grand Slam titles with
Leander Paes, had played only doubles with Adam Pavlasek.

Bhupathi said going to the University of Columbia in New
York for the camp has helped the team prepare better for the
indoor tie.

"The week of practice indoors has helped the team. The
boys have hit a lot of balls and are feeling good, so we are
looking forward to the weekend," he said.

Bhupathi, who replaced Anand Amritraj in the captain's
chair early this year, said the recent success of both Yuki
Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanthan against high-quality rivals is
a tremendous confidence booster.

While Yuki had scalped world number 22 Gael Monfils at
the Citi Open, Ramkumar had an upset win over top-10 player
Domnic Thiem at the Antalya Open.

"Wins give you confidence and big wins give you lots of
confidence. I am sure it's a stepping stone in their process
to make the top 100," Bhupathi said.

"Both Yuki and Ram have had very good summers so they
have a lot of matches under their belt. Rohan, of course, made
the final in Montreal and is a leader in this team. Saketh is
getting better every week, it's always hard to come back from
a long injury layoff but he is committed," Bhupathi said,
giving his assessment of the team.

Yuki had to endure tough times after breaking the top-100
barrier late in 2015 due to injuries but has done well this
season. Ramkumar was also struggling initially this year but
has shaken off the rust to come out stronger.

Bhupathi said the players are working very hard and will
enjoy more success.

"(I am) sure they do (work very hard). It's heading in
the right direction," the 43-year-old Bhupathi, India's first
ever Grand Slam winner, said.

Bhupathi also felt that India can produce top-10 players
like other Asian nations.

"If Japan, Thailand can produce top 10 players, I believe
India can too," he said without elaborating